Glowy or Not

Last updated: October 2026

Body care is having a moment. On Pinterest, shopping clicks for body care and body moisturizers have jumped this fall, and searches for “body skin care routine” are way up. Once the weather turns cold and dry, everyone suddenly cares about their elbows and shins again. But which viral body lotions and body oils are actually worth buying, and which are mostly a great smell in a pretty bottle?

I looked at seven of the most talked-about body lotions, creams and oils, from $10 drugstore finds to $48 splurges. One of them I’ve used myself, and it’s clearly labeled.

Viral body lotions and oils at a glance

Product	About	Type	Verdict
L’Occitane Shea Intense Moisture Body Lotion	$37	Lotion	Glowy (I’ve used it)
eos Shea Better Body Lotion	$10	Lotion	Glowy
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream	$48	Body cream	Maybe
AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion	$12	Lotion with lactic acid	Glowy (for rough skin)
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil	$22	Body oil	Maybe
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse	$35 to $45	Dry oil	Glowy
Neutrogena Body Oil, Light Sesame Formula	$22	Body oil	Glowy

The body lotions and creams

1. L’Occitane Shea Intense Moisture Body Lotion

Price: About $37 for 8 oz in the US

This is the one product on this list I’ve used myself. I’ve been using it for the past year, and I really like it. I put it on every day after my shower, mostly to stop my skin from getting dry and cracked during the dry season. It smells lovely, and even though the lotion is on the thicker side, it spreads on easily. My honest complaint is the price. That said, it comes in a big pump bottle that lasts a while, so it still feels worth it to me.

L’Occitane says it’s made with 15% shea butter and gives up to 48 hours of moisture. It’s also packed with other nourishing ingredients, like sunflower oil, glycerin, sweet almond and calendula, and it’s described as lightweight and fast-absorbing rather than greasy.

• Good to know: It contains fragrance, so patch test first if your skin is sensitive. It’s also pricey for a body lotion, so it’s worth watching for gift sets around the holidays.
• My verdict: Glowy. It’s a splurge, but it’s the one I keep reaching for when my skin is dry.
• Best for: Dry skin, and anyone who wants a richer lotion that still sinks in fast.

2. eos Shea Better Body Lotion (Vanilla Cashmere)

Price: About $10 for 16 oz

If you want the viral “smell like vanilla all day” lotion without spending much, this is it. Essence beauty writer Kimberly Wilson calls it her “beloved body lotion” and describes the scent as sweet but not overwhelming.

It’s made with shea butter, shea oil and vitamin E, and eos says it gives up to 24 hours of moisture. The scent is whipped vanilla, cozy caramel and soft musk.

• Good to know: The scent is strong and sweet, which most fans love, but it’s not for anyone who prefers unscented products.
• Best for: Everyday moisture on a budget, and vanilla lovers.

3. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

Price: $48 for 8.1 oz (often on sale for less)

The jar that started the Sol de Janeiro craze. It’s made with cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, coconut oil and guaraná extract, and it’s famous for its warm pistachio and salted caramel scent.

Reviewers love how it smells and how soft and glowy it leaves skin. But the “firming” reputation is overhyped. One hands-on reviewer at MissLJBeauty said it gives a temporary light tightening at most and won’t change cellulite, calling it “a treat, not a treatment.”

• Good to know: The scent is strong and lasts a few hours. It’s expensive for a body cream, so look for minis or holiday sets.
• Best for: Treating yourself, or a gift for someone who loves sweet scents.

4. AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Price: About $12 for 7.9 oz

This one is less about smelling nice and more about fixing rough skin. It’s made with 12% lactic acid, a gentle exfoliating acid that also hydrates. The brand says it helps with dry skin and keratosis pilaris, those little “chicken skin” bumps on the backs of arms. It’s fragrance free, non-greasy and comes in a pump bottle.

Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine, who has keratosis pilaris, said she felt a difference in her bumps after just one application. She also noted it’s thick, takes some rubbing in, and tingles a bit, and it irritated one of her arms, so patch test first. It costs about a third of the fancier lotions on this list.

• Good to know: Because it contains an AHA, it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen on any skin you leave uncovered. It may also sting on freshly shaved or broken skin.
• Best for: Rough, bumpy or very dry skin, and anyone who wants a fragrance-free lotion.

The body oils

Body oils are having their own moment, mostly because of the glossy, glowy look they give your skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano explains the main difference: lotion contains water and oil, while body oil is pure oil. That makes oil better at sealing in moisture, especially in winter, and lotion better at adding hydration. You can use both.

5. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil

Price: About $22 for 4.2 oz (smaller 2 oz bottles cost about $11)

Bio-Oil has been around for years and keeps going viral for stretch marks and scars. It contains calendula, lavender, rosemary and chamomile oils, plus vitamins A and E. Marie Claire’s beauty editors include it in their list of the best body oils, praising its soft, natural scent, though they note some people find it a little greasy.

The brand says it’s clinically proven to improve the look of scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone and dry skin, but it recommends using it twice a day for at least three months. Be patient, and keep your expectations realistic. Old stretch marks rarely disappear completely.

• Good to know: The bottle is small and pricey per ounce, so it makes more sense for specific spots than for your whole body. It also contains fragrance.
• Best for: Scars, stretch marks and small dry patches.

6. NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

Price: About $35 to $45 for 3.3 oz

This French pharmacy classic is the oil to buy if you want that shiny, glowy skin look you see on Pinterest. It’s a “dry” oil, which means it sinks in fast instead of leaving you sticky. It blends seven plant oils, including camellia, sweet almond, borage, hazelnut, macadamia and argan, and NUXE says it’s at least 98.1% natural origin.

Who What Wear beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock calls it “deeply moisturizing thanks to seven botanical oils,” but warns some people may find the scent too heavy. You can use it on your face, body and hair, which helps justify the price.

• Good to know: It’s fragranced, so skip it if your skin is sensitive to scent. The shimmer version, Huile Prodigieuse Or, adds a golden sparkle if you want extra glow.
• Best for: A glowy finish on arms, legs and shoulders, and anyone who wants one oil for face, body and hair.

7. Neutrogena Body Oil, Light Sesame Formula

Price: About $22 for 8.5 oz

A quiet drugstore classic made with sesame oil. You get about twice as much as Bio-Oil for a similar price, so it’s the easiest oil to use all over your body every day. Marie Claire lists it as its drugstore pick for body oils because of the big bottle and low price, but notes it feels a little greasier than some fancier oils.

The trick with any body oil is to put it on while your skin is still damp from the shower. Dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano suggests using just a small amount and not toweling off the excess, which helps it feel less greasy.

• Good to know: The original has a light scent, but there’s also a fragrance-free version. Prices vary a lot between stores and sellers, so compare before you buy.
• Best for: All-over moisture on a budget, and anyone new to body oils.

How to use body lotion and body oil together

• Apply right after your shower, while your skin is still a little damp. This helps lock in moisture.
• Lotion first, oil second. Dr. Turegano recommends lotion for hydration first, then oil to seal it in.
• Use less oil than you think. A few drops warmed between your palms covers a lot of skin.
• Go richer in winter, and focus on the driest spots, like elbows, knees and shins.
• Got rough bumps? Use a lactic acid lotion like AmLactin a few times a week, and wear sunscreen on exposed skin.

Shopping for someone else? Body lotions and oils make easy gifts. See my beauty advent calendar comparison or my K-beauty gifts under $25 for more ideas.

Final verdict: glowy or not?

Glowy, and you don’t need to spend a lot. The eos lotion and Neutrogena body oil cover the basics for about $30 together. If your skin is rough or bumpy, AmLactin is the smartest buy on this list. If you can spend a little more, the L’Occitane shea lotion is my personal favorite for dry-season skin, and NUXE is the one to get for a real glow. Sol de Janeiro is lovely as a treat, but you’re mostly paying for the smell.

FAQ

Should I use body oil or body lotion?

Lotion is better for adding hydration and dries quickly, so it’s great for everyday use and warmer weather. Oil is better at sealing in moisture and gives a glowy finish, so it shines in winter. If your skin is very dry, use both.

Do I put body oil before or after lotion?

After. Apply lotion first, then a few drops of oil on top to lock everything in.

Can I put body oil on dry skin?

You can, but it works best on damp skin right after a shower. Oil doesn’t add water to your skin, it holds in what’s already there.

Is Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream worth it?

It’s worth it if you love the scent and want a luxurious treat. If you only care about moisture, cheaper lotions do a similar job.

Does Bio-Oil really work on stretch marks?

The brand says it improves the look of stretch marks with twice-daily use for at least three months. Results vary, and older stretch marks rarely disappear completely.

Sources I used

• Pinterest Trends (US body care shopping and search trends, October 2026)
• Body oil vs. lotion: a board-certified dermatologist explains (Dr. Mamina Turegano)
• Lookfantastic: L’Occitane Shea Intense Moisture Body Lotion
• Essence: Kimberly Wilson on the eos Vanilla Cashmere scent
• MissLJBeauty: honest Bum Bum Cream review
• Glamour: best keratosis pilaris treatments, reviewed by editors with KP
• Marie Claire: the best body oils, tested by beauty editors (Bio-Oil and Neutrogena)
• NUXE US: Huile Prodigieuse (price)
• Boots: NUXE Huile Prodigieuse ingredient details
• Who What Wear: the best body oils, tested by an editor (NUXE)

Except for the L’Occitane lotion, I haven’t personally tested these products. Verdicts are based on the research above and what reviewers report. It’s not medical advice.